Hinge



June 21, 1966 o. w. TURNER HINGE Filed April 17. 1965 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,256,554 HINGE Qswald W. Turner, Antioch, Ill., assignor to Counter Balance Incorporated, Antioch, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 17, 1963, Ser. No. 273,730 Claims. (Cl. 16-190) This invention relates generally to cabinet hardware and more particularly to hinges of the counterbalancing type.

With respect to cabinets that are closed by a heavy lid or by a long lid developing a substantial lever arm relative to the pivot axis, it has been-common practice heretofore to incorporate a spring in the hinges, the spring being arranged to provide a force that resists the closing action of the lid and that assists in raising the same. Many such counterbalancing hinges have been produced, and springs placed in compression have proved to be superior to springs placed in tension for such devices. However, even the counterbalancing hinges that employ compression springs have presented problems. One such problem has been noisy action, and this latter ditficulty has proved particularly objectionable in the case of counterbalancing hinges for fine furniture items. I have discovered that this noise problem can be overcome by insuring straight line compression and expansion of the spring.

Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalancing hinge that is characterized by quiet operation.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved counterbalancing hinge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge that is arranged for straight line compression and expansion of its counterbalancing spring.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a counterbalancing hinge that is provided with a shock absorbing type of opening action.

These and'other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following disclosure.

A hinge structure in accord with the invention includes a first hinge body that is adapted to be attached to a cabinet lid, including spaced side members, and a second hinge body adapted to be attached to the body of a cabinet, including a channel member having plate portions disposed in lateral alignment with the side members of the first hinge body. A hinge pintle is connected between the plate portions and the side members swingably to connect the first and second hinge bodies. An elongated sleeve bearing is mounted in the channel member. of the second hinge body, and a connecting rod is slidably disposed in the sleeve bearing to be directed in substantially straight line movement by the elongated character of the sleeve bearing. Pin-and-link means are employed to couple one end of the connecting rod to the first hinge body at a point spaced from the hinge pintle. In addition, a nut progressively engages the other end of the rod to form an abutment confronting the elongated sleeve bearing. A compression spring is disposed about the connecting rod between the sleeve bearing and the nut, the compression spring being directed in straight line compression and expansion by the straight line movement of the connecting rod.

In order that the principles of the invention'may be readily understood, a single embodiment thereof, but to which the application is not to be restricted, is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet structure including a lid connected to the cabinet body by a counterice balancing hinge constructed in compliance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view taken in central, vertical cross-section through the counterbalancing hinge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 2 but illustrating the lid of the cabinet in open condition; and

FIG. 5 is a view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 2.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, specifically to FIG. 1, a cabinet structure indicated generally by the numeral 10 is seen to include a cabinet body 12 which is closed by a lid 14. The lid 14 is arranged to swing in a vertical arc, and a counterbalancing hinge unit 16 of the exteriorly mounted type is fastened to the cabinet structure for directing and controlling the swinging movements of the lid 14.

The hinge unit 16 includes a wing or hinge body 18 that is adapted to be attached to the lid 14, and the unit 16 further includes a housing or hinge body 20 that is adapted to be fastened -to the cabinet body 12. The hinge body 18 comprises spaced side members 22 and 24, and a mounting flange 26 extends laterally from each of the side members for use in attaching the hinge body 18 to the cabinet lid 14. The hinge body 18 also incorporates a top member 28 that extends across the side members 22 and 24 at the upper regions thereof, the top member 28 terminating in two tail members 30 which are for-med into contact with edge portions of side members 22 and 24 partially to enclose the space therebetween.

The tail members 30 are spaced apart to define a slot 32.

The hinge body 20 includes a channel member 34 and laterally extending flanges 36. The flanges 36 and the flanges 26 of the hinge body 18 are appropriately perforated to pass wood screws 38 or other suitable fasteners into the respective parts of the cabinet structure 10. As will be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the hinge body 20 comprises parallel plate portions 40 that extend upwardly from the sides of the channel member 34 to be disposed in lateral alignment with the side members 22 and 24 of the hinge body 18. A hinge pintle 42 connects the plate portions 40 and the respective side members of the hinge body 18 for relative swingable movement of the body 18. Continuing with reference to FIG. 5 and with secondary reference to FIG. 2, an auxiliary lid bracket 44 is seen fastened to the underside of the lid 14 by a wood screw 46. In order to assure firm attachment of the hinge pintle 42 to the lid 14, the auxiliary bracket 44 is fashioned with a knuckle 48 that grips the pintle 42 intermediate the side members 22 and 24, knuckle 48 rotatably embracing the pintle 42.

Considering FIG. 2 in greater detail, the counterbalancing of lid 14 is achieved by means including a connecting rod 50, a sleeve bearing 52 and a compression spring 54. The connecting rod 50 is provided with an eye 56 at its upper end, the eye 56 rotatably receiving a pin 58. A link 60, according to one possible construction of the part, is fashioned with a bifurcated lower end 62; and the eye 56 is rotatably received between the arms of the bifurcated end 62 to be pivotally attached thereto by means of the pin 58. At its upper end, the link 60 is pivotally attached to the side members 22 and 24 of hinge body 18 by means of a pin 64. The pin 64 is spaced from hinge pintle 42 and the connecting rod 50 is coupled to the hinge body 18 by means of the link 60 in order that the connectin rod may negotiate the hinge pintle 42 during opening and closing of the lid 14. This arrangement serves to prevent any deviation in the movement of the connecting rod from a straight line path.

speassa The sleeve bearing 52 is mounted in the channel member 34 of the hinge body 20 generally intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof by means of a centrally perforated plate 66, plate 66 being secured in the channel member 34 by means of weldments 68. The sleeve bearing 52 takes a generally T-shaped vertical cross-section to define an upper flange portion '70 and an elongated tubular portion 72 depending from the flange portion 79. The tubular portion 72 passes through the central aperture in plate 66 to expose a substantial length of the sleeve bearing in the direction away from the hinge body 18, the

. portion of the sleeve bearing that is exposed beneath the plate 66 defining a guide for the spring 54. In compliance with the invention, the sleeve bearing 52 takes a substantial axial length in order to direct the connecting rod in straight line movement. Moreover, the bore defined in the sleeve bearing 52 is advantageously fabricated to taper slightly from the flange portion 7% to the bottom of the tubular portion 72 for purposes of providing a firm and sure grip of the connecting rod 59.

The flange portion 70 of the sleeve bearing 52 rests on the upper surface of the plate 66, and the plate 66 is provided with a shallow counterbore or annular recess 74 surrounding the tubular portion 72 of the sleeve bearing at the undersurface of the plate 66. The counterbore 74 defines a seat for one end of the spring 54 whereas the outer surface of the tubular portion 72 of the sleeve hearing defines a guide for the spring.

The connecting rod 50 extends beneath the sleeve bearing 52 and freely through the center of the compression spring 54, the lower end of the connecting rod 50 being threaded to receive a cooperatively threaded nut 76 in progressive engagement. The nut 76 is advantageously fashioned to take a vertical cross-section of inverted T- shape, the crossarm of this section generating a shoulder which supports a cup washer 78 against the spring 54. The recessed portion of the cup washer 78 confronts the plate 66 to define a seat for the lower end of the compression spring 54, and the cylindrical portion of the nut 76 which extends upwardly from the washer 78 is encompassed by the lower end of the spring providing a guide therefor. It is recognized that the nut 76 and the cup washer 78 may be fabricated as a single part.

While the nut 76 is progressively engageable with the connecting rod 50 in order to adjust the spring force that is stored in the compression spring 54, the nut and its cooperating cup washer are free to move within the channel member 34 of the hinge body 20. The connecting rod 50 is thus only guided by the sleeve bearing 52 which has been described hereinabove as possessing substantial axial extent for this purpose. Moreover, it has proved advantageous to fabricate the sleeve bearing 52 from a resinous anti-friction material in order to enhance the bearing properties thereof and in order to promote straight line movements of the connecting rod. Polyamide resins have proved particularly useful in this regard; and in one specific embodiment of the invention, nylon resin has been employed in fabricating the sleeve bearing 52.

In compliance with another feature of the invention, means are provided in the counterbalancing hinge 16 for resiliently arresting the upward movement of the lid 14, particularly the last five degrees or so of the upward movement of the lid. These means include a resilient member 80 which is fashioned from elastomeric material and which is provided with a central bore for freely slidably passing the connecting rod 50. The resilient member 89 is disposed between the flange portion 70 of sleeve bearing 52 and an abutment member 82 defined by a metal washer. For the purposes of the invention, the abutment member 82 may be defined by a head or radial enlargement formed on the connecting rod 50 beneath the coupling eye 56.

Upon raising or opening of the lid 14, the coupling eye 56 of the connecting rod 54 will be relocated in the general direction of plate 66; and eventually, the eye 56 will contact the abutment member 82 whereupon further low ering of the coupling eye 56 will result in a compression of the resilient member 80, as is indicated in FIG. 4, the resilient member as reacting yieldably to arrest movement of the lid 14. Thus, the resilient member serves as a shock absorber at the terminal portions of the upward or raising movement of the lid 14. Slamming of the lid and resultant jarring of the cabinet parts and contents is thereby precluded.

It will also be noted with reference to FIG. 4 that the slot 3;; in the hinge body 18 passes the link 60 during the final portions of the raising movement of the lid. Free action of the pin-and-link connection is thus assured while the tail members 30 act to house a substantial portion of the space between the side members of the hinge body 18.

From the foregoing descriptions, it will also be apparent that the connecting rod 50 is guided in substantially straight line movements by the sleeve bearing 52. This straight line movement of the connecting rod 50 is, of course, transferred to the nut 76 and its associated cup washer 78 because these latter elements are connected to the rod 50. Accordingly, a high degree of linearity in the compression and expansion of the spring 54 is achieved. Radial flexing of spring 54 is avoided. Smooth and quiet action of the counterbalancing hinge 16 results. Straight line movement of the spring 54 is also enhanced by the locationof its ends respectively by the cup Washer 78 and the counterbore 74 in plate 66, the straight line movement of the spring 54 being further insured by the guiding action of the tubular portion 72 of the sleeve bearing and the upstanding cylindrical portion of the nut 7 6.

The specific example herein shown and described is to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Various changes in structure will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A counterbalancing hinge of the exteriorly mounted type comprising: a first hinge body adapted to be attached to a cabinet lid, including spaced side members; a second hinge body adapted to be attached to a cabinet body, including a channel member having plate portions disposed in lateral alignment with said side members; a hinge pintle swingably connecting said plate portions to said side members; an elongated sleeve bearing; means mounting said sleeve bearing rigidly in said channel member slidably to receive the upper portion of a connecting rod; a connecting rod slidably and snugly fitting in said sleeve bearing for straight line movement therein; a link having pin means at each end thereof with one pin means pivotally coupling said link to said first hinge body at a point spaced from said hinge pintle and with the other pin means pivotally coupling said link to the adjacent end of said connecting rod; means progressively engaging the other end of said rod; and a compression spring around said connecting rod between said sleeve bearing and said progressively engaging means.

2. A counterbalancing hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated sleeve bearing comprises a resinous anti-friction material.

3. A counterbalancing hinge of the exteriorly mounted type comprising: a first hinge body adapted to be attached to a cabinet lid, including spaced side members; a second hinge body adapted to be attached to a cabinet body, including a channel member having plate portions disposed in lateral alignment with said side members; a hinge pintle swingably connecting said plate portions to said side members; an elongated sleeve bearing; means mounting said sleeve bearing rigidly in said channel member for slidably receiving the upper portion of a connecting rod and exposing a substantial length of said bearing in the direction away from said first hinge body whereby said bearing defines a spring guide; a connecting rod slidably and snugly fitting in said sleeve bearing for straight line movement therein; a link having pin means at each end thereof with one pin means pivotally coupling said link to said first hinge body at a point spaced from said hinge pintle and with the other pin means pivotally coupling said link to the adjacent end of said connecting rod; means progressively engaging the other end of said rod, including a cylindrical portion extending toward said sleeve bearing to define a second spring guide; and a compression spring around said connecting rod between said sleeve bearing and said progressively engaging means and encircling said spring guides to be guided thereby in straight line compression and expansion.

4. A counterbalancing hinge of the exteriorly mounted type comprising: a first hinge body adapted to be attached to a cabinet lid, including spaced side members and a top member across said side members, said top member terminating in two tail members formed over edge portions of said side members partially to enclose the space therebetween, said tail members being spaced apart to define a slot therebetween; a second hinge body adapted to be attached to a cabinet body, including a channel member having plate portions disposed in lateral alignment with said side members; a hinge pintle swingably connecting said plate portions to said side members; an elongated sleeve bearing; means mounting said sleeve bearing rigidly in said channel member slidably to receive the upper portion of a connecting rod; a connecting rod slidably disposed in said sleeve bearing and directed in substantially straight line movement by said bearing; pin-and-link means coupling one end of said rod to said first hinge body at a point spaced from said hinge pintle, including a link element swingably operative in said slot; means progressively engaging the other end of said rod; and a compression spring around the said connecting rod between said sleeve bearing and said progressively engaging means.

5. A counterbalancing hinge of the exteriorly mounted type comprising: a first hinge body adapted to be attached to a cabinet lid, including spaced side members; a second hinge body adapted to be attached to a cabinet body, including a channel member having plate portions disposed in lateral alignment with said side members; a hinge pintle swingably connecting said plate portions to said side members; an elongated sleeve bearing of polyamide material; means mounting said sleeve bearing rigidly in said channel member slidably to receive the upper portion of a connecting rod; a connecting rod slidably disposed in said sleeve bearing and directed in substantially straight line movement by said bearing; pin-and-link means coupling one end of said rod to said first hinge body at a point spaced from said hinge pintle; means progressively engaging the other end of said rod; a compression spring around said connecting rod between said sleeve bearing and said progressively engaging means; abutment means on said connecting rod adjacent said pin-and-link means; and a resilient member of elastomeric material between said abutment means and said sleeve bearing, whereby opening of said lid releases the force on said spring and causes said abutment means to engage said resilient member aggressively, said resilient member reacting yieldably to arrest movement of said lid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 566,621 8/1896 Rider et a1 l6--190 X 949,949 2/ 1910 Williamson 16-190 2,219,800 10/ 1940 Allen 16-86 2,638,621 5/1953 Burke 16-190 X 2,726,914 12/1955 Allen 16190 X 2,911,667 11/1959 Burke 16-190 3,008,176 11/1961 Paine et al 16--136 3,112,514 12/1963 Ostrom 16-190 FOREIGN PATENTS 714,826 12/1941 Germany.

33,697 9/ 1934 Netherlands.

OTHER REFERENCES German printed application No. 1,127,247, April 1962.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Examiner.

I. G. GILFILLAN, D. GRIFFIN, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A COUNTERBALANCING HINGE OF THE EXTERIORLY MOUNTED TYPE COMPRISING: A FIRST HINGE BODY ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO A CABINET LID, INCLUDING SPACED SIDE MEMBERS; A SECOND HINGE BODY ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO A CABINET BODY, INCLUDING A CHANNEL MEMBER HAVING PLATE PORTIONS DISPOSED IN LATERAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SIDE MEMBERS; A HINGE PINTLE SWINGABLY CONNECTING SAID PLATE PORTIONS TO SAID SIDE MEMBERS; AN ELONGATED SLEEVE BEARING; MEANS MOUNTING SAID SLEEVE BEARING RIGIDLY IN SAID CHANNEL MEMBER SLIDABLY TO RECEIVE THE UPPER PORTION OF A CONNECTING ROD; A CONNECTING ROD SLIDABLY AND SNUGLY FITTING IN SAID SLEEVE BEARING FOR STRAIGHT LINE MOVEMENT THEREIN; A LINK HAVING PIN MEANS AT EACH END THEREOF WITH ONE PIN MEANS PIVOTALLY COUPLING SAID LINK TO SAID FIRST HINGED BODY AT A POINT SPACED FROM SAID HINGE PINTLE AND WITH THE OTHER PIN MEANS PIVOTALLY COUPLING SAID LINK TO THE ADJACENT END OF SAID CONNECTING ROD; MEANS PROGRESSIVELY ENGAGING THE OTHER END OF SAID ROD; AND A COMPRESSION SPRING AROUND SAID CONNECTING ROD BETWEEN SAID SLEEVE BEARING AND SAID PROGRESSIVELY ENGAGING MEANS. 